Wiley
Every Wiley since 1880 — 18,794 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Wiley
Wiley is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,226 in 2025 with 165 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 18,794 American babies have been named Wiley. Its peak came in 1921, when 309 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Wiley stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Wiley year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23 | #5,545 | 165 | #1,226 |
| 2024 | 23 | #5,600 | 181 | #1,159 |
| 2023 | 32 | #4,448 | 186 | #1,136 |
| 2022 | 29 | #4,787 | 179 | #1,155 |
| 2021 | 25 | #5,228 | 197 | #1,080 |
| 2020 | 21 | #5,839 | 166 | #1,165 |
| 2019 | 16 | #7,319 | 157 | #1,217 |
| 2018 | 11 | #9,778 | 121 | #1,450 |
| 2017 | 21 | #6,030 | 122 | #1,428 |
| 2016 | 8 | #12,818 | 126 | #1,397 |
| 2015 | 15 | #7,987 | 135 | #1,316 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10,917 | 120 | #1,412 |
| 2013 | 16 | #7,729 | 117 | #1,426 |
| 2012 | 12 | #9,692 | 111 | #1,465 |
| 2011 | 9 | #12,104 | 87 | #1,717 |
| 2010 | — | — | 103 | #1,557 |
| 2009 | 7 | #15,163 | 99 | #1,617 |
| 2008 | 7 | #15,327 | 98 | #1,611 |
| 2007 | — | — | 77 | #1,874 |
| 2006 | 5 | #19,925 | 101 | #1,511 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,790 | 87 | #1,594 |
| 2004 | — | — | 75 | #1,716 |
| 2003 | 6 | #15,698 | 77 | #1,645 |
| 2002 | — | — | 66 | #1,768 |
| 2001 | 7 | #13,462 | 61 | #1,839 |
| 2000 | — | — | 54 | #1,943 |
| 1995 | — | — | 45 | #1,912 |
| 1990 | — | — | 60 | #1,463 |
| 1985 | — | — | 63 | #1,189 |
| 1980 | — | — | 64 | #1,144 |
| 1975 | — | — | 49 | #1,227 |
| 1970 | — | — | 95 | #831 |
| 1965 | — | — | 125 | #664 |
| 1960 | — | — | 136 | #671 |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,714 | 171 | #566 |
| 1950 | 5 | #6,092 | 206 | #465 |
| 1945 | — | — | 193 | #429 |
| 1940 | 7 | #3,853 | 213 | #392 |
| 1935 | — | — | 286 | #324 |
| 1930 | — | — | 212 | #396 |
| 1925 | — | — | 245 | #381 |
| 1920 | — | — | 263 | #370 |
| 1915 | — | — | 212 | #369 |
| 1910 | — | — | 73 | #288 |
| 1905 | — | — | 52 | #276 |
| 1900 | — | — | 61 | #265 |
| 1895 | — | — | 61 | #226 |
| 1890 | — | — | 60 | #215 |
| 1885 | — | — | 76 | #175 |
| 1880 | — | — | 78 | #170 |
Famous people named Wiley
- Wiley Post Explorer · 1898–1935
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Wiley in 2025?
Wiley ranked #1,226 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 165 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Wiley?
18,794 babies have been named Wiley in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Wiley most popular?
Wiley peaked in 1921, when 309 newborns received the name.
Is Wiley a boy or girl name?
Wiley is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Wiley rising or falling?
Wiley is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Wiley?
Well-known people named Wiley include Wiley Post (explorer).